New Mexico’s Commissioner of Public Lands is slated to speak Friday with a group of conservative-minded state lawmakers in Washington D.C. about his proposal to transfer federal mineral rights on private lands to the state.

Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn is also planning to meet with members of Congress in order to urge them to approve the transfer, according to spokeswoman Emily Strickler.

In an email to NM Political Report, Strickler said Dunn is promoting his Early Childhood Education Land Grant Act to state lawmakers at an American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) policy summit.

“The group Commissioner is presenting to at ALEC would not be voting on this legislation, but...

AG focuses on protecting a family’s home investment

ALBUQUERQUE – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced a new initiative Dec. 1 aimed at educating and protecting New Mexico consumers: Operation Holiday Home Protection.

During the month of December, the Office of the Attorney General will be focusing its consumer protection efforts towards keeping New Mexicans in their homes. While this is one of the many areas of consumer protection the Office of the Attorney General focuses on year-round, throughout the month of December the office will be conducting specialized education for New Mexicans on a number of consumer issues ranging from buying a home, avoiding foreclosure...

Maggie Toulouse Oliver will take over the Secretary of State’s office on Dec. 9, according to a release from Brad Winter, the current Secretary of State.

She will be sworn into office on that day.

Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, won election to the position this November over Republican Nora Espinoza.

Winter became Secretary of State after Gov. Susana Martinez appointed him last December after the resignation of Dianna Duran. Duran resigned shortly before pleading guilty to multiple crimes, including felonies, related to misuse of her campaign funds.

The resignation triggered an election this year, when the Secretary of State elections usually take place in non-presidential election...

Focus: Office of the Superintendent of Insurance

SANTA FE – State Auditor Tim Keller announced Nov. 30 that the Office of the State Auditor outlined a plan for the resolution of longstanding questions about revenue collection at the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.

The plan includes the initiation of an in-depth audit, to be conducted by an independent firm, to determine amounts that may be owed to the state. The plan also includes recommendations for multiagency coordination for oversight of the audit findings and responsibilities for any settlement claims.

Earlier this year, auditors reviewed a sample of OSI records and revealed shortcomings with respect to OSI premium...